Cascade Creek is a stream that flows
through the City of Erie, PA and empties into Presque Isle Bay. The stream
travels through commercial, industrial and residential areas within the
city. The last half mile of flow is through a public park and wetlands
area. Cascade Creek was a major source of pollution and sedimentation for
Presque Isle Bay waters.

In 1991 the S.O.N.S. entered into a partnership with the Pennsylvania Fish
and Boat Commission Adopt a Stream program, the students of Strong Vincent
High School and the City of Erie. The goal of this partnership was to work
towards the improvement of the Cascade Creek and the surrounding
watershed.

At the beginning of this project several methods of bank stabilization
were attempted. A large quantity of stone was made available during the
construction of a bay front parkway in Erie. These stones were placed at
strategic locations on the banks of the creek. This was accomplished
through the donation of heavy equipment and operators. Professor Jim
Rutkowski from Strong Vincent high school obtained grants to fund other
types of bank stabilization which were put in place by students from that
school.

The Strong Vincent students also monitor water quality by taking samples
and testing them. This sampling has identified point sources of pollution
and remedies were applied to eliminate these sources.

One of the sources was an area
located nearby. Soil was removed and a Country Fair Convenience store was
built on the recovered brown field land. In 2001 thanks to a Growing
Greener Grant of $91,000 from the state. 250 ft of the East bank of the
creek was stabilized. The balance of the $118,000 project was funded by
Country Fair. Ed Kissell VP of the SONS was the leader in bringing all of
the pieces together to complete the project.

Annually, the SONS of Lake Erie
conduct a cleanup of the stream before trout season.
Volunteers tour the stream and collect any garbage or debris in the stream
bed. The debris is hauled away by City of Erie trucks.

The water quality of Cascade Creek
has improved to the point that it is stocked with trout by the PA Fish and
Boat Commission each spring for trout season. This provides an urban trout
fishing opportunity, especially for inner city youth as well as older
adults who cannot go to the more rural fishing sites.

In 2004 another project was funded for bank stabilization, habitat
restoration etc. for the West branch of Cascade Creek. This $154,021.00
project was funded by a $100,000.00 grant from the Great Lakes Commission.
The balance of the funds to come from the DEP through the PA Growing
Greener program. The SONS, the faculty and students of Strong Vincent High
School, Gannon University, Mercyhurst College, PA Sea Grant, and the City
of Erie Public Works Department and the Pennsylvania Lake Erie Watershed
Association, who will provide in-kind service.